Maine State Police Col. William Ross announced Thursday that an arrest warrant has been issued for Robert Card on at least eight murder counts, as victims of a series of mass shootings Wednesday night in Lewiston are still being identified.
He said that eight people died at Schemengees Bar and Grill, seven at Just-In-Time Recreation Bowling Alley, and three others after they were transported to local hospitals.
Card, 40, of Bowdoin has been identified as the suspect by authorities. A massive manhunt to find him is currently underway.
Ross stated that there was an arrest warrant out for eight counts of murder against Mr. Card. Ross said that the eight counts are because the identities of ten individuals have not been confirmed. Once they are, the count will likely increase to 18.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills stated that 18 people were killed and 13 others injured in the shootings. A Maine medical official reports that three of the injured are in critical condition.
“In memory of those we lost and in honor of those who were injured, President Biden and I have ordered all U.S. flags and state of Maine flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately for the next five days,” Mills said.
“Lewiston has a unique atmosphere,” Mills added that it’s a tight-knit, close-knit, community with a history of hard work, persistence, and faith. “This city didn’t deserve this terrible attack on the citizens, its peace of mind and its sense of safety. Maine’s grief today is not a city, state, people, or a word. Long have we known that our small state, with only 1.3 million residents, is one of the safest in the country. This attack goes against everything we stand for and all the values that we cherish.
Ross said Card should be viewed as “armed and dangerous”. “Based on the results of our investigation, this is someone who we do not recommend approaching.”
Mike Sauschuck said, “We don’t know where he is” and “I will leave it at that.”
He said that “all of our partners are working together to get Card in custody.”
Lewiston Police Chief David St. Pierre stated “I would like to thank our brave men, women, and staff of the Lewiston Police Department as well as fire departments, medical personnel, and first responders from all over who came together to help bring this situation to a close.”
Mills called the incident, whose motive is still unknown, and the aftermath “a dark day in Maine.”
“I know it’s hard for us to think about healing when our hearts are broken. But I want every person in Maine to know and we will heal together. We are strong. We are resilient. We are a very caring people,” she said. “In the days and weeks ahead, we will need to lean on those qualities more than ever before. As we move forward, struggling as we may, let us wrap our arms around one another, offer comfort and solace and love.”
